TEM UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT - 2023
Key Contact:
Isabel Wright Umpire Coordinator Seniors (mob 0428 948 075)
Pip Dudley Umpire Coordinator U12’s and Masters (mob 0414 264 138)
Philip Kennedy U14, U16s, Umpire Accreditation and Education (mob 0413 778 138)
You can email the Key Contacts at umpires@tem.org.au
TEM is committed to developing umpires of all ages, to ensuring as many opportunities as possible are available every weekend to suit a range of levels of competence, and to coach umpires so that they can reach new levels of accreditation.
We are looking for junior and senior players who have sufficient maturity, understanding of the rules, and ability to take an active interest in umpiring. All we ask is that players are coachable and are keen to do the best job they can!
Basic equipment: umpires will need a hockey standard whistle, cards and neat attire including the correct umpire shirt. All equipment is available from Just Hockey.
Junior Umpire Pathway
U10 competition: The Central Flames U10 local competition on Saturday mornings is a great place to get started. It is an inclusive and welcoming environment for young umpires, where coaching and mentoring is provided by a pool of volunteers.
U12 competition: We like to work with 4-6 young umpires who are ready to take on full field U12 matches, also played on Saturday mornings. Continuity and availability is very important to make the most of these games, we need keen umpires each week. Experience at U10s is very helpful but not essential. Umpires are regularly mentored to help them develop their confidence and ability to manage different situations.
U14/U16 competition: Friday night umpires are generally club umpires who have moved on to senior hockey and no longer play on Friday nights. Junior umpires will not be permitted to umpire a match that finishes within 45mins of the start of their own match, and they would not generally umpire their own age group.
Senior competition: Young umpires who are also playing senior hockey and have sufficient experience and confidence umpiring junior competitions will be encouraged to umpire senior hockey. We will always make sure that matches are of a suitable level for each individual.
Umpire Coaching and Mentoring
TEM has a mentor program that aims to address the need for an inclusive environment to support and develop young officials. Interested umpires will form a squad where they can network, build friendships and learn from and support each other. A group of senior club members who have umpiring skills and are happy to share the load, will work together to mentor, support and coach the squad and individuals.
We encourage our young umpires to think about their plans to gain more experience and knowledge in umpiring. We support this by looking for opportunities for developing umpires by umpiring at a higher level, opportunities to umpire at tournaments where coaching is provided and opportunities to be accredited or to gain a higher level of accreditation.
HV-run courses for umpires, and accreditation processes, will also be a part of this program.
Umpire Education
The Hockey Victoria website has some useful information on getting involved as an umpire https://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/getinvolved/umpire/, on umpire accreditation https://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/info-hub/umpire-education/ and has an officials hub https://www.hockeyvictoria.org.au/info-hub/officials-hub/ for information on HV umpire Development programs, Umpire Pathways and umpire Education Calendar.
The Education Calendar includes information and registration links for available courses for Foundation Support (Community) Umpire, Foundation Lead (Level 1) Umpire, Advanced Lead (Level 2) Umpire, Level 1 Technical Officer, Performance Lead (Level 1 Umpire Coach) and an EOI form where no course is currently scheduled. As part of each course you will also need to go to https://www.hockey.org.au/hockey-ed/ for online components and information on the course.
Another useful resource is the official FIH rulebook which can be downloaded, at no charge, to your phone. Search “rules of hockey” in your Apps store to find it.
Beginner umpires should commence the Foundation Support (Community) Umpire accreditation and get started at either U10 or U12 level. Practical, on-field assessments can be arranged when ready, this will usually take a season of umpiring practice at the U12 level.
Umpire Payments, Reimbursements and Costs
TEM pays umpires according to the HV recommendations. In addition, all approved education expenses, for example HV-run courses, will be covered by the club. Email treasurer@tem.org.au to arrange reimbursement.
Senior Match Rosters
HV will appoint umpires to PL, PLR and WPA matches and other matches depending on availability. Every club is required to supply one umpire per match not covered by the HV roster. The Umpire Coordinator Seniors makes appointments and then emails the completed roster to all team managers, umpires and officials. If there are vacancies on the roster, the relevant section, VP and team manager are encouraged to work together to get all matches covered.
Technical Bench and Technical Officer Development
HV appoints Technical Officers to officiate at Premier League matches. The club appoints a judge to assist the technical officer. Although judges do not require accreditation, TEM will provide informal training by having you work side by side with qualified people until you are confident to go solo.
Technical Officers require formal accreditation and the starting point for this is experience as a Judge and a reasonable understanding of the rules of hockey. Bruce Cook is a qualified technical officer and is available for information regarding the process (treasurer@tem.org.au).
